Fewer at USPS earning more than Cabinet secretaries

Dec. 26, 2012 - 10:15AM
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Pat Donahoe, postmaster general and chief executive officer of the U.S. Postal Service, is one of 13 executives there who earn more than Cabinet secretaries. He earns $276,492. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

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The U.S. Postal Service cut back sharply on senior executive pay last year, according to a report recently filed with Congress.

In 2011, 13 USPS officers and executives earned more than Cabinet secretaries earn: $199,700. That’s down almost two-thirds from the 38 postal officials whose combined salaries and bonuses crossed that bar in 2010.

In an email, USPS spokesman Mark Saunders attributed the decline to a freeze on salaries and performance bonuses imposed in light of the agency’s severe financial situation.

The Postal Service, which receives no tax money for operating expenses, is legally required to provide pay and benefits comparable to those of private businesses. Under a 2006 law, the agency may also pay up to 12 “critical” positions up to 120 percent of the vice president’s salary, or almost $277,000.

The Postal Service argues that it needs competitive pay packages to recruit top talent, but it has drawn criticism for boosting executive compensation while losing billions of dollars annually.

Here’s a list of the 13 whose compensation last year exceeded the $199,700 threshold (Asterisks indicate those who now hold a different position, are no longer with the Postal Service or were not in these positions all of 2011.):